CASABREWS Ultra Espresso Machine with LCD Display, Espresso Maker with Powerful Milk Frother, Customizable Brewing Temperature, Provides Barista-Level Lattes and Cappuccinos, Gift for Men & Women

About 10 months ago I began looking for a proper espresso machine after a glorified pressure cooker mokapot thing that called itself an "espresso maker" departed this mortal plane Valhalla mere months after I received it as an Xmas gift. It wasn't an amazing machine but it made a serviceable latte and it got me to make my coffee at home instead of going to the cafe. Naturally, I couldn't go back to not making my coffee on demand, nor would I satisfied continuing to make strong; I wanted real espresso at home. I began my journey with a simple goal: get cafe quality espresso for a price that won't sting. I'm here to report that the mission has been a success. I did weeks of due diligence; reading reviews, watching videos, combing reddit. Casabrews was consistently being name-dropped as an up and coming manufacturer that offers an unbeatable value proposition, particularly for their CM5418 machine. At the time the Ultra was new to market and didn't have many reviews but it came from a name that had been building a reputation and it had a few things that appealed to me: a 58mm platform, allowing me a wider selection of accessories and the potential to carry them over if I were to upgrade in the future, temperature control settings and the availability of a bottomless portqfilter. It also didn't hurt that it was on sale at the time, slightly more expensive than the CM5418. I ultimately decided to pull the trigger last July, alongside a Tuni G1 grinder. Fast forward to today. I've been pulling 2 doubles a day every day since the Ultra's arrival. The first week was a little hairy, trying to figure out how much coffee to use, how fine or coarse to grind, how to tamp it, how to get a decent flow rate. It's a learning curve you need to navigate with any machine. I began to find my footing when I spied an open box deal on the Casabrews bottomless portafilter for a price I couldn't resist. In hindsight I'm glad I did because it rapidly revealed that my tamp wasn't as good as I thought it was. A minor setback. I strengthened my resolve and found a self leveling palm tamper that would tame my uncooperative wrist. I could have stopped there and been fine but I was in too deep. I really wanted to dial in my shots. I had been buying bags of the beans my local cafe use and quickly became accustomed to their delivery date so I could pop in and grab bags only roasted a day or 2 prior. I got WDT and RDT tools (don't know what they are? You will...) I picked up a small kitchen scale so I could weigh my input and output. I began watching the timer on my shots and steam. I played with the temp. After experimenting I settled in to 19g beans in, 38g out in 40 seconds at 92c, and for steam I aerate for 20 sec then infuse for 55 sec. I still can't pour latte art to save my life but the flavor is phenomenal: better than what the afformentioned cafe pulls using the same beans on a 3 group Victoria Arduino that costs as much as a car. I think back to my initial goal of making cafe quality coffee at a price that doesn't sting, in hindsight it feels as naive as it was ambitious. Espresso requires more than a good machine, a good grinder, even more than good beans; you need patience, a willingness to learn and attention to detail. If you can embrace the process then this humble machine can produce some truly outstanding espresso. A note on my grinder: I kind of lucked out on the Tuni G1, there weren't many reviews at the time, nor was there much to be said for it on the web. The reviews it did have were glowing and the price was very competitive, so I went for it and it worked out. It does well for the beans I'm currently using, a medium roast espresso blend but I have absolutely no headroom to experiment with lighter roast beans or using precision baskets. I was prompted to write this review while I was reflecting on this journey while shopping for a shim to install in the Tuni that will allow me to grind even finer. If I were buying today I would strongly consider the Shador 64 which had released after my purchase but had since garnered a lot of attention for punching way above its weight. That said, the G1 is by no means a bad choice and still comes in a good deal cheaper than the Shador. If the shim I bought does what I expect it to do I could see myself being happy with the grinder for many more years to come.

My original unit broke after just one use, but the customer support team was fantastic, they sent a replacement right away. It’s been weeks since then with zero issues. This thing makes outstanding coffee with a rich, thick foam, and it looks really sleek sitting on my cupboard. Super easy to use and works perfectly.

I took a chance on going cheaper with Casabrews vs the competitor and am very happy I did! From the ease of use to the ease of cleaning I am overall very satisfied. It’s very simple to operate. I wanted a machine that can do hot water only and it works great. The steam wand is pretty decent for the price point. The top of the machines gets warm to heat up your cups. I typically let it warm up for 5-10 min, as that is just what I’ve set my routine to, it doesn’t take nearly that long. I like the smaller footprint; it doesn’t take up too much space. I prefer to have a separate grinder, which I’m still needing to upgrade, but even with the cheap grinder I’m pulling pretty good shots. I did purchase a bottomless Portafilter and I enjoy using that one, but I am pleasantly impressed with the dual spout that comes with the machine. The tamper is just a cheap plastic tool that needs to be upgraded to get a nice calibrated tamp, but certainly is functional enough to get started. This machine comes with several baskets to fit your needs which is great! It holds ample water to pull many shots before needing to be refilled. If you’re looking for a machine to get you started or even someone that is well versed in the espresso world, this is a winner. The manual that comes with the machine is very easy follow to make any adjustments. I would purchase this machine again! I give 5 stars because I really don’t have complaints, I paid under $200 on a sale and for what this machine offers, you just can’t beat it.

I received my CASABREWS Ultra Espresso Machine today thanks to Amazon’s next-day delivery, and after pulling my first double shot I felt compelled to write a review. I have been chasing the “perfect cup of coffee” at home for years. I have tried different drip machines, grinders, beans, and brewing methods. I have made many good cups of coffee, but nothing that truly made me stop and say wow. Today that finally happened. For my first test I used Café Bustelo espresso-style grind, which is a staple in many Latino homes across the United States. As Caribbean Latinos, strong coffee is part of our culture. From Cuban cortaditos to Dominican and Puerto Rican dark roasts, we like our coffee bold and full of flavor. There is even a saying in our folklore that a good cup of coffee is so strong it could revive a zombie. After my first shot with this machine, I can say the legend might actually be true. The first double espresso shot I pulled had everything I’ve been trying to achieve at home: rich aroma, a beautiful crema, and a bold but balanced flavor that reminded me of what you get in a good café. What impressed me most: • The 58 mm all-metal portafilter system feels solid and professional. • The machine heats up quickly and was ready to brew within minutes. • The extraction looked fantastic, with a steady flow and thick crema. • The controls are simple enough for beginners but still feel capable. I know this is considered a beginner-level machine, but if this is what a beginner machine can produce, I’m excited to continue learning and refining my technique. For anyone starting their espresso journey at home, this machine is a fantastic place to begin. It already produced the best coffee I’ve personally made in my kitchen, and it has me looking forward to improving my skills and eventually exploring more advanced equipment in the future. For now, I’m genuinely impressed. My espresso adventure has officially begun, and the first cup was a great one.

I've spent the last month testing the Casabrews Ultra. It's pretty good overall, but there are some issues, though, none that are deal breakers in my opinion. First impressions, it's well packaged and the machine itself is very attractive. The Ultra, is a Breville knock-off, which is a compliment. That said, it's stainless clad plastic, but that's what you get in this price range. The fit and finish was perfect though. It has most of the Breville design elements and features, but costs less than half as much. Setup was easy and the instruction manual is very helpful. The huge water tank is easy to fill with a flip up lid, and because the tank it's easy to see the water level. Even so, it has a low water warning indicator in case you don't check it often. The tank size is a big plus. If you decide to change the shot sizer it's very easy to program since it's volumetric. When dialing in, keep in mind that pre-infusion adds 10 seconds before espresso starts to drip, so a 25 second shot is more like going to be 35 seconds on the machine timer. The programmed buttons are pretty consistent, I'm getting the same shot amounts every time, so that's good. I adjusted the temperature to max 96°C, and it's hot enough, but the portafilter doesn't retain heat so it's not quite as has hot as my old Gaggia Classic. I do like that it heats up fast, about 30 seconds from cold. The hot water button is probably my favorite feature of the Ultra. I drink my espresso black but sometimes I want an Americano, or just a cup of tea. I couldn't do that easily with the Gaggia, but the Ultra has a dedicated hot water button. Nice! Things I don't like. The 58mm 3 ear portafilter is the right size as it's the commercial standard, but the lightweight cast aluminum is the wrong material in my opinion, it's nowhere near the quality of a heavy commercial or prosumer portafilter handle. It's way too light and doesn't retain heat. As far as the baskets, I'm not getting good tasting shots and crema with the stock baskets, they were a little disappointing. Fortunately, I had a higher quality replacement basket from my Gaggia so I popped it in. It fit into the portafilter itself just fine, but I couldn't get the handle to close, it only closes part way before it gets too tight, so the handle is only part way closed. No matter, it fully seals. Apparently, the rim of the replacement basket sits just ever so slightly higher than the stock basket. The shot improvement is pretty stunning. I immediately got better tasting shots with more crema. It's plainly obvious to me this is one area that Casabrews should improve on. Upgrading the handle and the baskets would take this machine to a much higher level. Also, often the puck annoyingly gets stuck to the top of the brewing group shower head, and I have to use my finger or a spoon to pop it off. It's annoying and messy. I still haven't figured out how to fully prevent that from happening. Lastly, I also have a slight rattle coming from inside the machine. It's not bad, but I would prefer if it just hummed from the vibratory pump. Pros: Easy to use Heats up fast Volumetric programmable buttons Adjustable temperature Big easy to refill water tank Dedicated hot water button 58mm portafilter Modern design Cons: The portafilter and baskets are kind of chintzy and should be improved Taste and crema is a little disappointing with stock baskets (outstanding with replacement basket) Full aftermarket part upgrade/replacement compatibility is a little questionable since there's no way to know without blindly buying, or from reading customer reviews Puck frequently gets stuck to the top of the brewing group shower screen after pulling a shot Slight rattle inside the machine when operating (no excuse for that) So it's not perfect, but overall in this price range it has so much going for it it I recommend it. It's my daily driver now, and I think the pros outweigh the cons. At a minimum, upgrade the filter basket and you'll get great shots and a lot of convenience.

Admitted espresso newbie here, but the machine is excellent. I had a fully automatic espresso machine before, but then found black liquid running into my coffee after 5 years . The internal brewing was all plastic, so I was looking for something with all metal and came across this machine. There are more well known brands and machines, but they cost double this price for entry level. The portafilter and baskets are all stainless steel and of great quality. The machine offers me enough flexibility to live out my barista dreams without overwhelming me - both in time and effort. Really thoughtfully designed, from the robust 2.2 liter tank to the large drip tray to the push button operation. It's also large enough to not walk off the counter, but compact enough to fit under my cabinets. I don't have a ton of time to pull 100 shots to experiment and "dial in" and do a lot of maintenance, and the Ultra is minimal effort compared to better established Italian brand buget offerings. To paraphrase a review I saw on YouTube, this machine is for people who are trying to maximize their dollar/quality per shot of espresso. NOTE: the machine will flush out excess water via a solenoid valve after pulling a shot, but not immediately. Wait about 20 seconds, you'll hear it flush and also see steam from the drip tray where it pushes the excess water. This has been criticized, but I appreciate, from a design standpoint, this also means you don't have to back flush the valve and will ensure longevity. Because this machine doesn't flush immediately after you stop the shot, there will be about 5 seconds of extra drip. If you anticipate that in your recipe, you'll be fine.

The espresso machine I previously had developed some leaking after 2+ years of use and I needed a replacement, but that brand is no longer available. After receiving & returning another brand $120 espresso machine, I'm glad I spent the extra money for the Casabrews ULTRA. I've had it for a few days now and like that it is a good quality, solid-built machine. It is less noisy than the smaller, cheaper machines I've had and produces a good quality espresso with a choice of brew baskets. The ULTRA provides an easy way to adjust the volume of each size cup (single & double) which allows me to make coffee just the way I like it. The steamer & hot water each have a dedicated button, and no knob to turn which I have found difficult to operate with other machines. The steam & hot water each deliver nicely without inconsistent spitting. It offers a descaling feature which takes away the guesswork, although I have not tried it yet. The ULTRA is larger than other machines I've had, but well worth the extra counter space for the quality provided. By registering the product, the company offers an additional 6-mo warranty. 5-stars, no question!

Made multiple espressos and cappuccinos and the machine does a fantastic job. Really like the display and the quality of the output. Frothing took a couple of tries to get it dialed in. Now works great. I mainly use the pressurized filter basket as it produces great crema. Haven't got the non-pressurized basket to produce equal output yet.

Great 👍 for steaming milk and easy to use

Vraiment un excellent choix comme machine à café Espresso et Capucino, déjà j’adore opérer avec cette machine!

We have gone through a few espresso machines and this one is terrific. The only thing that would be better is if we could hook one up directly to our water system.

I decided to try a different machine. Had a Breville Cafe Roma and was very happy with it but it started leaking. For the money they are hard to beat if you just want a decent espresso with no frills. This machine was on sale and about $60-$100 more than the Breville depending on sale price. First impression: it is a much nicer looking machine and looks to be better quality so hopefully durability is decent. It has an easy to read display, is programmable and is intuitive to use. After some trial runs I got the grind right and it makes a nice espresso. Default settings made a nice creamy brew, not burnt or weak though not as "creamy" as the Breville and needed to use a finer grind. I'm sure I can get it dialed in with some more adjustment as you can set the temperature and duration of a pull. I don't use the steam function often but tried it out. It was painfully loud to start but then did quiet down once the froth started to form. This is why it does not get a 5 star. The machine does NOT come with a frothing container so I used the small one I have. It was not ideal as it really started to splatter once the froth started to build. I'll pick up a larger one and see how that works. It made a nice latte but the froth was not that dense. This is where a more expensive machine is probably better if that's what you're after. For me I just want a good espresso and it delivers. The water tank is a good size, it doesn't take up too much counter space and looks nice. There is no built in grinder but for the money it is on par with machines that are two or three times the price. It is also easy to clean, especially the steam wand which I appreciated. *Update after a few months of use. Overall I like the machine though it has taken a bit of trial and error to get that nice rich creamy espresso consistently. The grind is critical and make sure to prime it by running the hot water for at least 5 seconds before a pull. I like the larger water tank and overall it's a nice looking machine and build quality is good for this price point. If you are on a budget though and want a no frills espresso machine the Breville Cafe Roma is still hard to beat though.

I really recommend this coffee machine. I love specialty coffee and since I have used it it every single day for my early coffee, I’m very pleased to have it. Easy to use, easy to maintain.